Kol Vaelros hated the stares.
He had barely stepped into Blackwood Academy, and already, eyes were on him—whispers, curious glances, and the occasional wary expression. It was always the same, no matter where he went. He had a presence that people couldn't ignore, a weight in the air that made them uneasy.
He didn't care.
The only reason he was here was because Jacob insisted. Blend in for now, he had said. We need to figure out what the witches are planning before we make any moves.
Kol didn't argue, but he hated it. School was pointless to him. None of these humans mattered. None of this mattered. But for now, he played along.
His eyes scanned the hallway, assessing. The scent of sweat, perfume, and cheap cafeteria food filled his senses, but beneath it, he could detect something else—something different. A familiar energy, faint but present.
Then, his gaze locked onto her.
Lisa Everhart.
For a moment, something shifted in the air. She stared at him, wide-eyed, her face pale as if she had just seen a ghost. Kol frowned. He didn't recognize her, but something about the way she looked at him… it was unsettling.
Then, just like that, the moment passed. He turned away and continued walking, ignoring the whispers trailing behind him.
"Damn," someone muttered from a nearby group. "Dude looks like he could kill someone just by looking at them."
Kol smirked slightly. They have no idea.
---
Lisa sat in her next class, still shaken.
She had seen him.
The boy from her dreams.
The one surrounded by darkness.
Her hands felt clammy as she tried to focus on the teacher's voice, but it was impossible. Her mind kept replaying that brief moment when their eyes met. There was no mistaking it—it was him.
"Lisa?"
She jolted at the sound of her name. The teacher, Mr. Reynolds, was staring at her expectantly.
"I—what?" she stammered.
The class chuckled. Mr. Reynolds sighed. "I asked if you could read the next passage."
"Oh. Right." She quickly found the page and started reading, though she barely processed the words.
From the corner of her eye, she saw movement.
Her heart stopped.
Kol had just entered the classroom.
Every seat was taken except the one next to her.
Lisa held her breath as he walked toward it. She could feel him as he moved closer—an unnatural energy, something powerful and wrong.
He sat down without a word.
Lisa forced herself to look forward, pretending he wasn't there. But her entire body was tense, every nerve on edge.
She had so many questions.
Who are you?
Where have I seen you before?
What does this mean?
But she couldn't ask.
For now, she just had to pretend everything was normal.
Even though she knew nothing would ever be normal again.